M.C. school board accepts resignation

The Mackinaw City Public Schools Board of Education accepted the resignation of Austin Krieg, the school's science teacher, cross country and varsity basketball coach at its regular meeting Wednesday.

Krieg expressed his thanks to the faculty and staff of the Mackinaw Area Public School in a letter to the board.

Openings for the jobs have been posted internally, with Jeffrey Curth, superintendent, and Scott Mills, principle, assisting the cross country team so far this year. Curth said Mills has expressed interest in coaching the team. John Martin has been bridging the gap for the basketball position until it is filled.

Emily Schuster will take over as the school's varsity volleyball coach.

The board also approved Steve DeMasi to be brought on as the school's bus driver and custodian. Curth explained to the board that because DeMasi is a retired school employee, the district would not have to pay retirement or health insurance for DeMasi.

Curth told the board the school was required to have EpiPens available, due to a law passed this summer by the Michigan legislature. The pens cost $600 each, but a pharmaceutical company has volunteered to provide them to the school district this year.

The board also appointed member Dan Durant as treasurer, filling the spot left by Matthew Cronk, who left the board, and welcomed Vince Rogala as a new member of the board to fill Cronk's position.

The board also heard public concerns regarding the handling of scholarship applications by the school administration and the the school's budget. Concerns about the school's compliance with the Michigan Department of Education's Michigan Schools Accountability Scorecard were also raised.